Hygge? She’ll pass, says German interior designer Daniela Gottschalk, whose Camps Bay villa has attracted its fair share of location scouts and influencers with its irrepressibly OTT interior.

Restauranteur. Bar owner. Psychotherapist. Interior designer. As far as CVs go, Daniela Gottschalk’s is quite prolific. But there’s a linearity to the professions, as the Frankfurt-based Cape Town semi-grant tells it: “Twenty years ago, I opened a restaurant; after that, I opened a bar. At the bar, people would buy a drink… and want to tell me all their problems. I said, okay, I’m not listening to all that for a cappuccino – so I qualified as a psychotherapist.”

The interior design bug officially bit in 2015, when friends asked Daniela to decorate the interior of a holistic boutique hotel in Split, Croatia – and after that, the job offers started streaming in. “I figured out that I never actually needed to open a bar or restaurant in the first place, because all I’d actually wanted was to design their interiors,” she says.

Having visited and fallen in love with Cape Town in 2007, Daniela’s dream to buy and renovate a house in the Mother City finally came true last year when she bagged an old Camps Bay fixer-upper. “I’d collected furniture over the last three years without even knowing what kind of house I was going to buy,” says Daniela. “I knew I wanted a property that would allow me to style it like something from Palm Springs in the 1960s, where you could imagine Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton sipping martinis next to the pool and listening to Frank Sinatra.”

To help turn her vision into reality, Daniela roped in local construction contractor Debbie Verreyne to start the revamp, while she directed the process from Frankfurt – from redoing the floors to knocking out a wall between a pokey kitchen and dining room. The pair worked together so well that they went on to found interior-design company Tinzeltown. For all the meticulous planning, the one thing Daniela hadn’t counted on was the fact that the shipping container filled with designer furniture that she’d dispatched from Germany would only arrive the day before her South African visitor’s visa was set to expire. “I managed to extend my stay by five days; in that time, I basically decorated the whole house,” she says. Aesthetically, there is a definite leitmotif at play: curved arches, varying shades of turquoise and lime green, graphic black-and-white designs, and accents of postbox red and metallic bling. Think sexy Mid-century Modern meets Pop Art. “I wanted everything to be a bit over-stimulating and larger than life,” she says. “Home interiors don’t all need to be shabby-chic, or hygge in whites and beiges.”

Ironically, the Jonathan Adler mouths that pop up in various places – from the polka-dotted chair in the living room to the collection of ashtrays on display in the brass Maisons du Monde shelf in the hallway – are not a nod to the fact that Daniela makes a living from listening to people talk. “I’m just a little bit obsessed with them,” she says. “Jonathan Adler is my design icon.”

A notable stylistic departure is the bathroom, with its opulent blue-and-black marble tiles and gilt- framed his-and-hers vanity. “I wanted it to be a place to calm down; a kind of posh, elegant spa.”

You might wonder: does the kaleidoscopic, slightly zany interior have any psychological significance? “I always say, the more structured you are on the inside, the more chaos you can accept on the outside – and it’s the same with colour,” says Daniela. “I mean, I definitely don’t think it’s for everyone, but for the people that it is for… they’ll feel like they’re in their very own butterfly sanctuary.”

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WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Supplied/Shelley Cozijn RENOVATION BOMO Renovations INTERIORS BOMO Interiors

“We hadn’t actually decided on what house to buy, it all happened very quickly just weeks after having met for the first time- falling in love with each other and Cape Town,” explains owner Markus Bolinder. They both knew they loved Cape Town, especially the centrality of Gardens and the old cape-dutch houses with a lot of history and charm.

“Once we saw the ad of Villa Rose, it ticked every box for us so it was almost as if the decision made itself,” he elaborates. “To be able to have a house with a garden so central where so many great experiences are close by is rare. The calmness and security of the suburb, with the vibe of the city a stone’s throw away, was a unique and perfect mix for two young Europeans such as ourselves.”

The couple wanted to maintain and cherish the house’s heritage foundation while adding contemporary colours, furniture and artwork. “We don’t really have one style – instead we tend to go for interiors that we love and believe will suit the house,” he continues. Sometimes that can be something antique, other times it can be something highly modern. “We are firm believers in the power of details and didn’t want to leave much to coincidence. We want to think of living space just like one’s mind, it’s a bit too complex to be narrowed down into one simple style.” In their case, it ends up being a mix of new and old – abstract and minimalistic – European and African. Markus thinks it’s exactly this mix that gives the house character and soul, without becoming too abstract. “Going too crazy on colours and art takes away from the stillness which we believe is a key component to any home,” Markus continues.

Being from France and Sweden, the duo wanted to mix in some European influences while maintaining the South African feel. It’s this mix that we believe makes Villa Rose such a special place. With their own custom-made furniture company – BOMO Interiors, the team filled the home with their custom-made contemporary pieces that they produce themselves here in Cape Town.

The house was built more than 100 years ago and what seems to be pretty symbolic about the architecture during that time was the use of a front patio. Not only does the patio blend the inside and the outside, but it also helps create a very pleasant level change where you can sit and look down into the garden. Fifteen years ago, the previous owners extended the house with a third bedroom and a new kitchen and laundry area in the back of the house. The central living room with its high ceilings and fireplace is the perfect gathering spot during winter time which is part of what makes the house a great place to stay all year round.

“To create an authentic, loving living space you need to find items and objects that were created with love, and those take time to find,” says Markus. “Hence, we chose not to rush but to take our time finding the right piece for each space. When you maintain patience and an open mind, the right pieces somehow find you. The challenge is to actually stay patient and not buy average stuff just to fill the space up.”

Among these prized pieces include artworks by local artists such as Walter Battiss, St John Fuller, Cecil Skotnes, Louis Nel, Obie Oberholzer and Hannes Harrs.

Villa Rose is the perfect spot to unwind, explore Cape Town and relax in an unpretentious and curated setting. bomorenovations.co.za | bomointeriors.co.za

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Built in 1856, a renovated Cape Dutch house in Montagu is now a guest-house annexe and garden-produce shop.

Sometimes, a house chooses you. It’s what happened to Jacques Erasmus of Hemelhuijs fame and Hein Liebenberg, who used to work in the corporate world, while they were knee-deep in restoring their Jonkmanshof guesthouse in Montagu. They naturally assumed that a quick viewing of a Cape Dutch house for sale down the street would be merely for interest’s sake…

A heady fragrance of citrus blossoms and a wild dove flying down from an olive tree to perch on Jacques’s shoulder were auspices that the couple were destined to renovate a second property in Montagu.

Their vision for the house? Additional rooms to accommodate guests when Jonkmanshof is fully booked, and a garden-produce shop to share the bounty of their land.

And the result? A sensitive reimagining of a slice of Platteland history.

For more information, visit jonkmanshof.com.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Take a look this Jacques Erasmus‘ Montagu country-style home.

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Victoria Falls has a hip new hangout on the banks of the Zambezi River, with a mix of retro furniture, African artefacts, found objects and lush plants that makes it seem as if it’s been there forever.

With Zimbabwe back in the sights of savvy safari-goers, the town of Vic Falls is booming again. After its opening in July, Zambezi House Bar & Canteen, upstream from the falls with front row views of the Zambezi, is fast becoming the most desirable watering hole in the area.

Majestic ebony trees add shade, warthogs graze nonchalantly on the lawn, and a wooden jetty extends into the river. East African daybeds and wrought-iron tables and chairs under the trees speak of long, lazy afternoons outdoors. Built out of decommissioned shipping containers, for speed and to limit the environmental impact, Zambezi House is a collaboration between Zimbabwean Mark Valentine, co-owner of Amatuli in Johannesburg, and Zimbabwean Beks Ndlovu, founder of African Bush Camps, a collection of properties in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.

Beks met Mark years ago, when he first started visiting Amatuli to source artefacts and furniture for his safari camps and homes. In-between discussions about the merits of African treasures, Mark and Beks realised they both had a yearning to establish a relaxed, authentically African meeting place somewhere in Zimbabwe. Tourist focused Vic Falls was the obvious choice.

Zambezi House was conceived as a modern eatery and bar that they hoped would become known as much for its simple, honest food and generous drinks as for its stimulating interiors. “We wanted it to be a place where locals and travellers could hang out, hold meetings or just have fun,” says Beks. Above all, he wanted to create a place that would give local people access to the river. It may be hard to believe, but the average Zimbabwean has never seen the Zambezi, let alone has access to it.”

Beks was in charge of putting up the structure, and Mark gave the task of conceptualising and implementing the interior design plans to Elize van der Merwe, a partner in Amatuli. “Elize is an expert junk shopper with a nose for the sort of ‘found’ objects that can turn a fairly ordinary interior into a magical space,” says Mark.

Initially, Mark hated the idea of using metal containers, but once they’d cut out sections to let in light and incorporated breeze-block walls, intricately carved East African doors, lush greenery and bold wallpaper, the “rusty boxes” (as he called them) began to blend into the natural surroundings.

Says Beks: “I am used to setting up safari camps from scratch, whereas Mark prefers the challenge of seeing potential in something old, the creative process of transforming an existing interior.

At the heart of the building is a courtyard with a series of container rooms around the edges, creating individual bars serving coffees, cocktails and even ice cream, and private alcoves furnished with armchairs and sofas for lounging or dining.

Ebony trees appear to grow out of the timber deck, and moss-filled hanging baskets, traditional grain stampers and old mokoros overflow with indigenous plants. “We smashed the budget with plants,” says Mark.

The wide, welcoming smiles on the faces of the Zimbabwean staff say a lot about the need for job creation in this part of the world. For chef Elias Kelosas and his brother Robert, a barman, the opening of Zambezi House was a dream opportunity to return home after several years of earning a living in South Africa.

Zambezi House is located at 1 392 Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

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Liedjiesbos, about three kilometres out of Bloem, is a dream come true for Henning de Bruyn and Dawie Human, who relish the opportunity to entertain guests in Free State style.

A portion of land once reserved for the cultivation of cut flowers and asparagus has undergone an astonishing transformation in the creation of Liedjiesbos, where an austere steel barn made way for a contemporary home and a guest house that reflect the owners’ personalities.

Establishing a guest house at Liedjiesbos was a no-brainer for Henning de Bruyn, who had cultivated a keen interest in the hospitality industry while working at various guest houses. His partner Dawie Human is also right at home here. A horticulturalist by profession, he has created a beautiful indigenous garden that is able to withstand the region’s icy winters, and grows fruit and vegetables to feed the household and guests. Henning and Dawie’s private home on the property is literally a scrapbook dream come true: Using a precious file filled with torn-out pages and circled articles as inspiration, the couple worked closely with architect Pieter Venter of p+arc to design it.

“We wanted something African with a modern twist, something fresh and beautiful that would work with the landscape and the region,” says Henning. Much like the guest house, which was built first, their house features sandstone and glass – one material being synonymous with the Free State and the other providing a means to allow as much light into the space as possible. “The idea was not to compete with the landscape,” says Henning. Corrugated steel doors and walls plastered with red soil feature throughout the house. “It anchors the building to the region, says Pieter. The house was designed to afford the owners a retreat from their work at the guest house.

Small gravelled courtyards afford privacy. The unfussy, rustic appearance of the exterior is mirrored inside, where the floors are mainly raw concrete and the ceilings plain wood. “We wanted a peaceful space that won’t stimulate thinking, which is why we kept everything natural,” says Henning. A stand-out feature is the indoor/outdoor shower, which draws a refreshing breeze through the house. The natural topography is enhanced by art and artefacts picked up on many journeys. Avid collectors, Henning and Dawie have amassed an eclectic assortment of pieces, which are scattered throughout their home and the guest house. “We love to travel and we love art. We don’t keep to a certain style; if something is beautiful we lug it home.”

Their only rule is to avoid very colourful accessories, preferring to introduce colour in the form of fresh fruit, flowers and art. Liedjiesbos is a showcase of distinctively curated decor and artworks. Henning’s current favourites are a set of Chinese horseshoe chairs and a locally made ceramic chandelier in the living room. Then there’s the 14 m-long brick wall featuring more than 300 words that can be read as either English or Afrikaans, a piece called Word Woes by renowned artist Willem Boshoff. Henning and Dawie and their dogs make for an unequivocally contemporary family, living on a quintessentially South African property.

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A hand-me-down heritage building was given a new lease on life since it found a home in the hearts of the Bloem family. The modern-meets-antique guesthouse makes for a restful abode when escaping to Greyton.

Hendrik and Rensjah Bloem had hardly arrived and wiped the Sannieshof farm dust off their shoes when renovations to their Greyton guest lodge started. Hailing from the North West Province, it was their son Hendré Bloem who convinced them to buy property in the Western Cape, a heritage building they’d never set eyes on, one that needed serious renovations.

Hendré, a newly qualified Cape Town interior designer, was entrusted the entire project, from the plans and renovations to the interior design – a dream opportunity he jumped straight into. He spent the months before his parents’ arrival drawing up and submitting plans to the town council with changes he wanted to make to the building, which dated back to 1882.

It was a prison back in the day, and two of the rooms closest to the main building were the town’s only prison cells. At some point after this, it became a general trading post, with new extensions and rooms added over the years, with the house next door integrated as well. Then, exactly 100 years later, in 1982, it opened its doors for the first time as a 16-bedroom guest lodge. Since then, it has changed ownership at least twice before the Bloems bought it last year.

Because of its heritage status, no changes could be made to the building’s facade. And the only real structural alteration was knocking down a few inside walls to ease the flow between the living and sleeping spaces of the two larger bedrooms.

Instead, it was in the decor where the major changes happened. Hendré’s plan was to integrate some of the antique pieces from the previous lodge with contemporary South African-designed furniture and artwork; things he discovered and learnt to love during his design studies in the Mother City.

Custom-made leather sofas and benches from Klooftique in Cape Town were brought in to keep company with Haldane Martin’s Simplicity side tables, while leather-and-cane light fittings from Weylandts were introduced into the lounge.

A Cube Bench by John Vogel, custom-made to fit neatly behind the rustic chairs in the dining room, snuggles up close to the original fireplace, one of three open hearths in the living and dining rooms. The pots of a Kreep Planter, designed by Joe Paine, are filled with fresh blooms from the garden and perch over a wooden James Mudge table.

Then, in the TV room, more of Haldane Martin’s furniture – his Source Wire chairs and Simplicity side tables – accompany an antique piano and its rickety accomplice, a wooden chair. Also in this room a magnificent paper-cut artwork by Sarah Pratt branches across the wall next to a display cabinet. A variety of bowls are exhibited here, including one with a prickly wire-fence handle, a keepsake Hendré’s mother bought in Sannieshof just before they moved.

The lodge’s quaint whitewashed en-suite bedrooms are all dotted around the large garden and, together with the other house on the property, the Manor House, the buildings are shaded by ancient fruit trees varying from orange and lemon to almond and guava. One tree even bears both lemons and oranges.

A charming elevated pool, seemingly dating back quite a few decades, hides in the far back corner of the garden. Standing here, next to the row of loungers, one gets a clear view across the Riviersonderend Mountains. In the Manor House, all the en-suite bedrooms open on to a passage, unlike the rest of the lodge’s rooms, which have direct garden access. This makes the Manor House suitable for families and larger parties who want to stay together. Hendré had this house’s passage painted a dark shade of grey and, when looking up, one sees open black umbrellas with wooden handles strung all along the bright white ceiling.

In all the bedrooms, antique pieces left by the previous owners are arranged to fit perfectly alongside modern furnishings, like a wooden four-poster next to Hendré’s all-in-one cupboard design. Oregon pine dressing- table tops, looking tired from years of use, were given an update with either a silver or gold spot-paint, where needed.

As the final stages of the project came to a close, and the budget was running low, there were still a few beds without head-boards. Undeterred, Hendré decided to paint large blocks of colour on the walls behind the beds. It is a simple gesture like this, and the umbrellas, that characterise the élan with which he has magically matched polished-up old-fashioned charm with contemporary South African-designed furniture and artworks in the one-of-a-kind Greyton Lodge.

For more information, visit greytonlodge.co.za.

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